What should a security specialist do to improve device security and limit sideloaded apps on government-owned mobile devices?

Choosing to conduct device audits and implement mobile device management (MDM) policies is particularly effective in improving device security and limiting sideloaded apps on government-owned mobile devices. Device audits allow the security specialist to regularly assess the status and configuration of devices, ensuring compliance with security policies and identifying unauthorized applications that may have been installed.

Implementing MDM policies establishes controls over app installations, allowing the organization to restrict or deny the installation of sideloaded apps entirely. MDM solutions can enforce security configurations, deploy necessary patches, and maintain a secure environment tailored for government use.

While regularly changing passwords, encouraging reporting of unauthorized apps, and installing antivirus software are all helpful practices in a broader security strategy, they do not specifically address the core issue of managing device security and controlling software installations as effectively as conducting audits and implementing MDM policies do.